Ballinasloe decide to make a break for it

All-Ireland League News round-upBuccaneers rugby club may cease to exist - at least in its present incarnation - following the decision of one of its two constituents, Ballinasloe RFC, to withdraw from the club.

The decision was taken at an egm and guarantees that the Ballinasloe and Athlone rugby clubs that amalgamated 12 years ago are to go their separate ways.

An overwhelming majority of those present on the night of the Ballinasloe egm voted to withdraw from the Buccaneers club. The amalgamation of Ballinasloe and Athlone in 1993 was regarded as a prescient collaboration with both clubs contributing to the newly-formed Buccaneers as they became one of the top clubs in the country.

There can be no doubting the success of the venture as the club was well supported at home games in both Ballinasloe and Athlone. The club embraced the professional era with gusto, developing Dubarry Park in Athlone into a top-class facility, which has staged Connacht fixtures in the Celtic League and European competitions, as well underage and schools internationals.

The split may be traced to the diminished importance of the AIB League and a more Athlone-orientated look to the Buccaneers club. The 1993 accord dictated that both Athlone and Ballinasloe continued to field their own underage teams, coming together under the Buccaneers banner at under-20 and all adult grades.

Ballinasloe have enjoyed considerable success at underage in recent years, but for the past few seasons Ballinasloe have not had any of their players on the Buccaneers AIL side.

The decision to withdraw was based on football and finance. Members felt the development of their own players would be best served by concentrating on Ballinasloe, while on the finance front the Ballinasloe club currently raise about €70,000 towards Buccaneers which they felt would be better spent on their own club.

Matt Carey, president of Ballinasloe RFC and joint President of Buccaneers pointed out: "The Buccaneers arrangement has been very successful, but Ballinasloe RFC now feel it is in the best interests of their club to withdraw from that arrangement and concentrate on the development of Ballinasloe RFC.

"We have a very vibrant underage section and believe it is in the best interests of our club to concentrate on developing this. We wish Buccaneers RFC continued success in the future."

Michael Kiely, president of Athlone RFC and joint president of Buccaneers said: "I would like to thank Ballinasloe RFC for the valued contribution that the club has made to Buccaneers."

The IRFU will have to decide on the status of the respective clubs, although this will be facilitated by Ballinasloe's desire to return to the junior ranks.

Meanwhile, Belfast Harlequins have announced an unchanged side from that which beat Garryowen at Dooradoyle in the semi-final for Saturday's AIB All-Ireland League Division One final against Shannon at Lansdowne Road. The Ulster club keep faith with the team that showed tremendous resilience in hanging on for victory the last day.

An indication of the challenge they expect from the defending champions can be gleaned from the fact that they will have "a five forwards, two backs split" on the bench. The fact that Ulster's Rory Best is available is an indication of the way in which hooker Neil Hanna has played in his absence.

Shannon are waiting for medical reports on Frankie Roche, Fionn McLoughlin and Fiach O'Loughlin before deciding on the composition of their team.

Division Two champions UL Bohemian include New Zealander Mike Storey at tighthead prop in their team to face St Mary's College in the Division Two final. The Limerick club have retained the side that won the vital away game in Ballynahinch which clinched the title.

There is a doubt about fullback Cathal Garvey who was a flu victim last week and missed the semi-final victory over Dolphin.

St Mary's have left a vacancy at blindside flanker, one they hope will be filled by Leinster player Ciarán Potts. Regular number six Paul Nash has a philosophy exam on Saturday afternoon.

Greystones will make a late decision on the blindside flanker position for their Division Three final tie with Instonians. Nathan Beuck and Shane McEntee will contest the jersey.

BELFAST HARLEQUINS: J Lowe; P McKenzie, G Mitchell, WP Strauss, S Wilson; I Humphreys, A Matchett; J Carey, N Hanna, J Andress; M Mustchin, L McGowan; S Lamb, D Dougherty, C McCarey.

UL BOHEMIAN: C Garvey; I Hanley, C Finn, M McPhail, K Matthews; B Martin, A Rees; M Harty, G Ryan, M Storey; B Madigan, A Hartigan; A O'Gorman (capt), P van Esbeck, J O'Neill. Replacements (from): C O'Boyle, D Fitzgerald, F Lawlor, B Murphy, K Flanagan, F Leonard, R Hartigan, J Ed O'Connor.

ST MARY'S COLLEGE: D Hughes; B Lynn, J McWeeney, C Fifield, P Brophy; J Sexton, J Kilbride; C O'Byrne, P Smyth, P Coyle; J Ellis, G Logan; AN Other, G Hickie, A Copeland.

GREYSTONES: D McKechnie; N McNaughton, C McNaughton, A Higgs, S O'Connell; W Edwards, D Popplewell; L Murphy (capt), R Willis, P du Toit; D McGettigan, G Murphy; N Beuck/S McEntee, R Connolly, C McEntee.